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32 The Parish Magazine — February 2026Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisementsRendezvous inThe ArkTUESDAY 10 & 24 FebruaryNow in our 8th successful year, Rendezvous inthe Ark continues to welcome everyone from12 noon to meet for lunch followed by tea andcoffee on the second and fourth Tuesday ofevery month.For more details or to reserve your seat call:0118 969 3298office@sonningparish.orgPlanning YourTraditional Wedding?Then you might like todiscuss the possibility ofmarriage in our ancient andbeautiful parish church.If so, call the vicar, Jamie0118 969 3298He will be pleased to help!WATER SOFTENER SALTBlock Salt From £6.00*Tablet Salt from £13.00*Winter Gritting Salt from £7.00*FREE LOCAL DELIVERYEmail: Martyncollins@portmanpm.comFOR OFFERS & PRICES ORDER ON LINE ATwww.salt-deliveries-online.comTel: 0778 577 2263 or 0118 959 1796Unit 2, 6 Portman Road Reading RG30 1EA*Prices subject to change - please check our websiteCameron MackayYour local trusted Locksmith24 HOUR LOCKSMITH SERVICESIn addition to the stunning and historic location in Sonning,we will work hard to provide you with a memorable andmoving occasion. We can provide a choir, organ, peal ofeight bells, beautiful flowers, over 100 lit candles set inornate Victorian chandeliers and the use of our beautifulchurchyard as a backdrop for your photographs.Church of St AndrewServing Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eyethe church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL,SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th centuryNo callout chargeSimple, fixed pricing guaranteedCommercial & DomesticT 0118 380 1061 | M 07542 330148cameron.mackay@lockfit.co.ukwww.lockfit.co.ukQUOTE SONNINGMAG FOR A DISCOUNT
HEALTH BY ANNE ELGETIStronger, healthier, longer:England’s Men’s Health StrategyEngland's Men Heath Strategy was published at the end ofNovember. It focuses on six key areas:— improving access to care— supporting behaviour change— creating healthier workplaces— boosting mental health support— enhancing cancer screening— funding research.Practical measures include workplace health checks,community outreach, and digital services tailored to men’s needs.Mental health is a priority, with £3.6 million earmarked forsuicide prevention and expanded school-based support reachingnearly a million pupils by 2026.Prostate cancer screening will also become easier, with athomePSA tests available via the NHS App from 2027.HELPING MEN LIVE LONGERCrucially, the strategy addresses stigma and low help-seekingbehaviours through partnerships with trusted voices, includingsport organisations. By combining cultural change with targetedinvestment, the initiative promises to help men live longer,healthier, and happier lives.Key themes identified include high rates of cancer, especiallyprostate, testicular and penile , heart disease, mental health, lowhelp-seeking behaviours, suicide, and inequalities in access toscreening.CULTURALLY SENSITIVEMen in deprived areas live up to a decade less in good healthand are significantly less likely to seek timely care.To tackle this issue, the strategy outlines:— Improving access to healthcare: funding communityprogrammes, digital services and healthcare professionals trainedin men’s needs.— Supporting behaviour change: Investing in stop-smoking,reducing alcohol, gambling and drug harms. — Creating healthyliving and working environments: Launching workplace healthpilots, NHS Health Checks in male-dominated jobs, and resiliencecampaigns.— Mental health and suicide prevention: Allocating £3.6 millionover three years for suicide prevention in middle-aged men andexpanding school-based mental health support to reach over900,000 pupils by April 2026.— Cancer and screening: Introducing at-home PSA testing from2027 via the NHS App.— Research and communications: Funding research into maledominantconditions and simplifying health messaging witheasy-read formats.The strategy calls for culturally sensitive outreach throughpartnerships such as with the Premier League to dismantlestigma and drive uptake of health care services.Take action today: book your NHS Health Check, talk openlyabout mental health, visit: nhs.uk/mens health for tips and support.Your health matters — don’t wait!The full strategy can be found at gov.uk/publications.The Parish Magazine — February 2026 33BLADDER CANCERWHO'S AT RISK?Anne ElgetiMore than a thousand patients living with bladder cancerevery year can now receive a breakthrough treatment that candouble survival rates from the disease. This treatment wasapproved for use on the NHS from August 2025 and is ‘one of themost hopeful advances in decades for people with bladder cancer.’The combination treatment works by using a powerfultwo-pronged attack, with enfortumab vedotin directly targetingthe cancer cells and killing them, while pembrolizumab, animmunotherapy drug, helps the immune system recognise andfight the remaining cancer cells. It is given via an IV infusionto people whose bladder cancer has spread to other parts of hebody or cannot be surgically removed. Clinical trials of the drugdemonstrated the following results.— People with bladder cancer that had spread (metastasised) livedup to twice as long when given this treatment compared to thosegiven normal chemotherapy.— Survival rates increased from around 1.5 years withchemotherapy to more than 2.5 years.— the length of time the treatment kept the cancer at bay morethan doubled – from just over 6 months to 1.5 years.— Nearly 30% of patients had no detectable traces of cancer intheir body following treatment with enfortumab vedotin andpembrolizumab, compared with 12.5% with chemotherapy.— Patients also experienced fewer harmful side effects with thecombination treatment, thanks to its selective targeting.Bladder cancer is more common in men and people over 60.It’s not always known what causes bladder cancer, but you may bemore likely to get it if you:— Smoke or use chew tobacco.— Have had a urinary catheter in for a long time.— Have had radiotherapy for cancer before— Are overweight.— Have a close relative who has had bladder cancer.— You have worked with chemicals, such as those used in textileindustry or handing carbon or crude oil.— You have had an infection called schistosomiasis (bilharzia)an infection caused by tiny worms that live in ponds, lakes, andrivers. These worms live in tropical and sub-tropical parts of theworld including Africa, the Middle East, southern and southeastAsia, parts of South America and the Caribbean.Bladder cancer symptoms can include:— Blood in your urine— Pain burning stinging or itching when you pass urine.— Multiple urinary tract infections— Needing to pee more often— Suddenly losing your appetite and losing weight— Pain in your back and lower abdomen— Aching pain or tenderness in your bones— Feeling very tired for no reason and unwellAlways seek medical advice!
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